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04 Jul 22. Portugal develops armed USV. The Portuguese Navy’s Unmanned Vehicles Experimentation Cell (CEOV) is developing a multimission armed unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for operational experimentation, CEOV Commander Marco Pinto Guimarães told Janes.
The USV, called X-2701, is being developed with the support of the Portuguese Navy Ships Support Service for training missions in conditions up to Sea State 4. It will be used to replicate asymmetric threat attacks from small vessels, for surface live-fire training, protection and combat training against asymmetric threats, or for towing an inflatable target. It can also be used to conduct patrol and surveillance missions.
The X-2701 hull is a converted Harding Safety FRB 650 high-speed fast-rescue boat received in 2016 for the Portuguese Navy’s Tejo-class patrol boats. The 6.7 m-long rigid V-shaped hull is made of fire-retardant glass fibre-reinforced polyester (GRP). It is powered by a 170 hp inboard diesel engine, coupled to an Alamarin-Jet AJ 230 water-jet. (Source: Janes)
01 Jul 22. Indian Navy issues RFI for Shipborne UAVs. India has announced an intention to procure 40 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) for warships more than 100 m in length.
In a request for information (RFI) issued on 29 June, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Navy said that the NSUAS will be used for surveillance tasks, including signals intelligence (SIGINT), target acquisition, reconnaissance, and maritime domain awareness around a naval task group.
Secondary roles would comprise anti-piracy, anti-terrorist activities, and assistance in Search-and-Rescue (SAR), the MoD said in the RFI document.
According to Janes data, the Indian Navy operates three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) squadrons from shore-based locations. Janes data adds that each squadron is very likely equipped with four IAI Heron Mk II and six IAI Searcher II UAVs.
The latest requirement is focused on procuring indigenously developed platforms. (Source: Janes)
01 Jul 22. See India conduct first flight of autonomous technology demonstrator SWiFT. India on Friday successfully carried out the first flight of an autonomous technology demonstrator.
The aircraft, launched by Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment under the purview of the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation, is a scaled-down version of the upcoming Ghatak combat drone. The flight took place at the aeronautical test range based at Chitradurga in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
The airframe, undercarriage, and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the aircraft were domestically developed, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the flight a major achievement toward autonomous aircraft that will pave the way for Aatmanirbhar Bharat — an economic initiative meant to make India less dependent on foreign technology — in terms of critical military systems.
A scientist with the Aeronautical Development Establishment told Defense News that the flight test of the aircraft — also referred to as the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed, or SWiFT — took place to demonstrate its of ability to take off, climb in altitude, cruise midair, navigate to waypoints, descend and land autonomously.
He noted that the next step is to develop a proven autonomous combat surveillance platform. The scientist spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The 1-ton SWiFT platform is powered by a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT turbofan engine. The platform had completed taxi trials in September 2021.
The Aeronautical Development Establishment will now evaluate the flight data in relation to the aircraft’s configuration, and autonomous takeoff and landing technology, retractable landing gear system, and low radar signature. This effort is meant to inform future modifications to the platform.
A scientist with the Defence Research and Development Organisation noted that at least 10 more flight tests are needed to prove the capability of the SWiFT platform, and only then will the government grant funding for the full-fledged development of the Ghatak UAV. (Source: Defense News)
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The British Robotics Seed Fund is the first SEIS-qualifying investment fund specialising in UK-based robotics businesses. The focus of the fund is to deliver superior returns to investors by making targeted investments in a mixed basket of the most innovative and disruptive businesses that are exploiting the new generation of robotics technologies in defence and other sector applications.
Automation and robotisation are beginning to drive significant productivity improvements in the global economy heralding a new industrial revolution. The fund allows investors to benefit from this exciting opportunity, whilst also delivering the extremely attractive tax reliefs offered by the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). For many private investors, the amount of specialist knowledge required to assess investments in robotics is not practical and hence investing through a fund structure makes good sense.
The fund appoints expert mentors to work with each investee company to further maximise the chance of success for investors. Further details are available on request.
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